Court orders new trial for alleged child rapist

The Appeals Court has ordered a new trial for a man who spent 21 years in prison following a highly controversial conviction for child rape.

In 1985, Bernard Baran was sent to prison for crimes he allegedly committed while working at a child-care center. But during his time in prison, he became a cause célèbre for those who believed that his conviction was the result of homophobia and hysteria.

In 2006, a Superior Court judge freed Baran, and today the Appeals Court agreed that “it cannot be said that the defendant received anything close to a fair trial.”

The Appeals Court singled out videotapes of the alleged victims, which it says contain “both denials that the defendant had abused them and allegations that others had … [and] would have provided counsel with support for the contention that the children had been coached.”

A new trial for Baran will be held if prosecutors decide to press charges.